Hard-Hitting Craig “Pressure” Parker, Returns To Dominate Where He Left Off
By Scottie “The Context” White
ROCK HILL SC (June 7, 2020) For a sport that thrives annually across the global spectrum, the boxing community could never fathom a week absent of a single bell. A timeline that could easily forecast a scheduling catalog for promoters and matchmakers several months out. Settling in for one of the biggest fights of 2020, the center square would illuminate the MGM Grand Feb 22, a night where millions witnessed Tyson Fury defeat the hard-hitting former WBC champion Deontay Wilder. Shortly thereafter, the world was accosted by an uncommon adversary, a virus title COVID-19, transparent to the naked eye but a deadly contagion which showed no mercy as it morphed into a global pandemic.
It didn’t take long in hearing the unfortunate news, a broadcast which echoed throughout the media airwaves announcing mandatory shutdowns across the nation. Public boxing gyms were force to close their doors in adhering to the orders given, but attributing to the chaos, was the apt of not knowing how long the statewide bans would be in effect. It was a riveting halt to a sport where many boxers aren’t compensated as regular 9-5 employees, they don’t receive paid stipends in a forced absence such as this. So what’s next?
We always say, where there is a will, there is a way. Several fighters had to reduce sparring and zone into solid training routines for sustaining boxing fitness. Private gyms benefited certain fighters who could push through the pandemic, so you know those boxers didn’t let it stop their daily routines just in case the phone did ring.
One boxer in particular was professional fighter by the name of Craig Parker (7-0 7KOs). A light heavyweight powerhouse contending out of Rock Hill SC. His team is lead by Gym owner and coach Anthony Burkett, along with famed trainer Jesse Reid. The team never thought twice about keeping their doors open for their number one fighter, a boxing jewel many would consider a retro throwback paying homage to legend Iron Mike Tyson. Parker is a student of the sport, a tenacious puncher, a fighter who is cut from a cloth of learning from classic film study of boxing greats before him. His training levels have been known to be on level 10 regardless if anyone is watching him or not, displaying an intense physical regime to strengthen, build and display his technical mastery like a professor of his studies.
Parker speaks very little of his boxing travels up to this point, a young man relocating from his original birthplace of Chicago, which ultimately led him on a mission searching for a nesting bed to train full-time. He admits to the open chapters early in his youth, experiencing rough days which forced him to push through some very dark times just to see a glimmer of light in the sport he loves. A man of wisdom that resonates with Parker in his early years was a boxer by the name of Terry McGroom, a Chicago native who amassed a boxing career of 31 professional fights, he was a previous trainer of Parker which he praises highly for always conversing knowledge to him about the sport. Furthermore, believing in him as a fighter and seeing his potential to some day become a word champion. Parker mentions a special place in his heart to achieve that crowning glory for McGroom and his team. Parker has trained from the west to the east coast and thru every door taught him a different page about boxing. Visiting gyms as a new face requires confidence, courage and a level of fortitude that demands respect from those fighters who may initially doubt you. Many will attest in boxing that training and sparring are considered the proven grounds for growth as a fighter. Parker had admitted to sparring with some familiar names in the boxing community but his dialogue ends there, he does emphasize his dedicated desire is to become a boxing world champion.
Parker professional boxing debut was the year 2018 in Columbia SC. Judging by his record, we can assume the fight was an early closer, a first round knockout delegated from Parker who possesses hand carried munition on either side of his punching cache. With that power, his team is happy for the win but has always sought improvement in critiquing the pluses and minuses toward evolving Parker as a complete fighter. A simple goal to be one of the best fighters in the sport, not just on a single night. One of his trainers is Jesse Reid, a former boxer himself having trained over 25 world champions during his boxing tenure; he’s been in the corner with some of the best fighters this sport has ever seen. Though boxing has change significantly over the years, Parker reverts back to essential components to be a student of the sport. Parker and his team will always designated time for film study of the great fighters of old. “No one boxer fights the same said Parker. My thought process is to be in control, take it to the fight. Always believe in yourself, giving it all you got and do what you been working on. Stay calm and don’t overly exert yourself before your fight. “
Parker is set for his return, a contending appointment for his eight-straight victory. He did attend an active calendar in 2019 as he tallied four dominating victories to his ledger. His most recent showdown hosted an undefeated adversary in a scheduled six-round cruiserweight affair, a furious first round seeing both fighters close distance unleashing a blistering punch exchange. Parker took control of the fight with piercing body attacks dropping his opponent early. When the action resume, Parker returned to work eating an overhand left but quickly forcing his opponent against the ropes with a set of crushing hooks to the body rendering a second knockdown. Parker would seize the advantage again by closing down with heavy shots to his opponent body and head forcing a referee stoppage. Parker would improve his boxing ledger to 7 victories via 7 knockouts, an impressive start as a rising contender in the sport for sure.
For every gym, there is a story of a fighter that could have been or a name that is coined as the next best thing. The window of opportunity is a unique metric when it comes to the hurt business. Parker is hungry to compete, his heart generates a high level of courage from a reservoir of self-belief. His mentality is to be a professor in the ring, a fighter who delegates his boxing thesis unto that of his adversaries and seek to dominate with a ferocious ring IQ to an art of his own war. His team has done an amazing job in the maturation thus far and totally understands the strategy to raise a world champion reciprocates outside the ring, as well as the inside. Be sure to keep both eyes open for this boxing gem, each time he split the ropes he shines that much brighter.
#GODSPLAN #CRAIGPARKERBOXINGDOTCOM